Holt Morris

EVENTS FOR 2018

BRADFORD ROOTS FESTIVAL, THE WILTSHIRE MUSIC CENTRE, BRADFORD-ON-AVON.

This event has now become the traditional start of our new dance year. Our contribution to the weekend of music celebration takes place in the foyer of this prestigious venue, and features the near-legendary "Holt Morris Wassail Extravaganza". It should be part of everyone’s attempt to shake out those post Xmas and New Year cobwebs. So join us at around 5.00 pm., if joy in the new year is your desire!

BRADFORD-ON-AVON WASSAIL, THE TITHE BARN AND COMMUNITY ORCHARD.

What with B-on-A obviously becoming the cider capital of the South-West ‘n’all, it falls to us once again to assist in the development of Orchard fecundity during this, the second, Bradford-on-Avon Community Orchard Wassail, after the well-attended first last year.

Details of other attractions, timings and so on will appear here as they emerge.

SOMERSET MORRIS DANCE-OUT, THE GREEN TREE, BATH.

From around 7.30 pm. we shall be dancing with good friends "Somerset Morris" at this delightful pub venue. No doubt a convivial evening of high octane morrissing and music-making will ensue.

WINCHESTER MAYFEST, WINCHESTER

An exciting new event for us, Winchester Mayfest presents Roots, Folk and Blues music along with folk dancing at various venues in the city. Over 20 morris sides will be exhibiting their skills throughout the day.

BATH AND WEST SHOW., THE SHOWGROUND, SHEPTON MALLET

We’ve been doing this one almost since our formation umpteen years ago, and will be doing our customary 2 spots near the bandstand either side of lunch, with a reprise of our legendary wassailing presentation at the cider tent mid-afternoon. As usual, a cheery greeting from you will be responded to with great gusto!

WIMBORNE FESTIVAL, WIMBORNE, DORSET

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Another hardy perennial in our performance calendar, Wimborne is one of the foremost festivals of Folk and Morris in the South of England and blossoms particlarly with one of the finest, publically-supported processionals ever to be seen. Be there on the Saturday afternoon, to witness the phenomenon, along with the literally thousands along the route. You can’t miss it!

PUB EVENING, CASTLE COOMBE

DANCE-OUT, THREE MAGPIES, SELLS GREEN.

Extremely late notice , we know, but this evening as the sun sinks, hopefully, away from its oppressive zenith, we’ll be doing our thing at this now traditional Summer venue. Great Pub. Great food, and even if the dancing is marginally less vigorous than you expect, we’ll still be endeavouring to entertain manfully from about 8.00. pm. onwards.

CHILDREN IN NEED, AS MANY PUBS AS POSSIBLE, BRADFORD-ON-AVON.

With practice numbers returning to normal after the Summer rest period, we are now working up a repertoire for our primary charity fund-raiser. Starting at The Castle from around 7.30. pm. onwards, things will go physically and metaphorically downhill from then on as we approach closing-time and the taxi home, having demonstrated our considerable work ethic and imbibic skills in the accommodating hostelries of our favourite local town. Catch us if you will. Just locate us by the sound of bank notes being unfolded and deposited in our collecting buckets, and augment that sound yourselves in emulation thereof... Or just listen out for "The Bells...The Bells..."

MOUNT PLEASANT CLUB XMAS BASH, MOUNT PLEASANT CLUB, BRADFORD-ON-AVON

From around 7.30. pm. on this Thursday before Christmas, as has become traditional over the last 25-odd years, along with our great friends and accomplices in the dark arts of The Morris, Hips and Haws and Belles Angels, we shall be presenting the usual dance and carol-singing extravaganza, to bring in the festive season with all who make us welcome at the club throughout the practice year.

Inevitably, Timothy Taylor "Landlord" will be on tap and equally inevitably Bathampton Morris will appear with their classic mumming act! Dependably too, a fine buffet will miraculously appear from under the covers of the pool table.

All are welcome. So join us if you will at the event that signals for us the joyous onset of The Festive Season.

BOXING-DAY, HOLT, TRADITIONAL SPOTS THROUGHOUT THE VILLAGE

Bringing the dancing year to its climax, we shall be in the usual spots in the village during the morning with Belles Angels, starting at 10.00. am. at the top of "Little Parks" and ending up on The Green and then "The Tollgate" as the village Boules competition achieves its zenith. Thereafter, extending way into the afternoon and beyond, the music and singing will be heard both within and beyond the confines of "The Old Ham Tree" augmented by the incalculable presence of John Bond, and any other musician who cares to join us for the ad hoc community musical mayhem, which in different forms has graced this hostelry on this day for at least 50 years. Once again all are welcome...

Approx
10.00. am. Little Parks

10.45. am. Fir Lawn

11.30. am. Holt Superstore

12.15. pm. The Village Green and The Tollgate

Thereafter at The Ham Tree